I remember one day when I went to Johannesburg, South Africa. Since in Mozambique the independence had occurred and the black people took over their Nation, I was happy and a bit curious to know the reality of the black South African people - it was my first visit there. So, it was with keen interest that I began my “quest”. I loved every minute there. But today I do not want to talk about this, but I promise I will soon.

I had left my eldest daughter with a family friend in Maputo, Mozambique. There were moments, especially in the evening at the Hotel, when my thoughts would fly all the way to my Cathy. It was as if, even far away, she was there with me. It was a sweet and good moment in time.

One night, I thought more deeply about that good feeling. The tenderness was present there, although hundreds of kilometers were separating us. And, suddenly, there was this thought in my mind that until today it is so present and makes it easier for me to be away from my family, now thousands of kilometers away. 

The thought was burnt in the trees of my memories... and the thought is: 

"Tenderness is gentle and kind like the caress of the evening breeze.... It is so good to feel it and know that nothing, not even the distance, can diminish its intensity." 

(1977) 

EXPERIENCES IN LIFE

I love Oprah Winfrey's thought above!! It is so true!

I believe that my experiences in life have always worked for my only good. They have never been, even the bad and hurting ones, a bad experience, but a chance for me to grow and mature. They have uncovered my true self, the one God created me to be. And I grew in love, compassion, and understanding. I remember once writing this thought that somehow applies here today "Our suffering from bad experiences in life should be transformed into something positive so that we may feel compassion, love, and understanding when others are hurting while walking in the same path." (1977)

BURNED BISCUITS (A LESSON WE ALL NEED TO LEARN)

A have a story for you today. I do not know who wrote it, but it is beautiful, touching and inspiring!

"When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

All my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing...never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said, "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mom put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides--a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people.

I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today...that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own." So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point""

BEYOND BEAUTY

How good it is to walk along the beach,

hearing the sound of restless waves

gently kissing the warmth of the sand,

and to feel the freshness

of light rain coming from the sea.

How good it is to sit on the stairs carved in the rock

by the wrath nights of the sea,

and, letting go of my soul,

to feel the sunset

telling stories of Your beauty

echoing in my soul.

How good it is to see You,

in the serenity of the evening,

in the endless flight of seagulls,

      in the shy crab running to hide,

      in the sparkle of the moonlight on the sea.

I have always loved

the sand, the breeze, the immensity of the sea,

but now, I learned to love in them

      Your indelible presence

      and the reflection of Your infinite love.


Photo:
http://www.wallpaperup.com/69817/beaches_sunset_ocean_sea_birds.html

BELIEVE

We all make mistakes. We are imperfect. However, there is courage, positiveness within us to find responses to overcome them and move forward. I know that there are people who like to highlight those mistakes, criticizing, putting us down by saying words that make us feel guilty, stupid, humiliated. However, there is the inner voice of our authentic self telling us "It is just his/her opinion, not who you are!" 

Love yourself! Forgive yourself! Believe in you!

ABOUT HAPPINESS

How normal it is that we blame others, relationships, money, success or job, because we expect them to make us happy, or, more important, to bring meaning to our lives. The truth is, indeed, we need to seek it inside of us. It is challenging to look inside ourselves, and, to do this introspection which sometimes hurts, we need to have a sincere insight so we can understand what is missing in us. Nobody can tell me why I feel unhappy. I am the only one who lived my life. I am the only one who can see the beginning of it all.

For me, seeking within, although causing me deep sadness, many tears and true emotional suffering, set me free. When I find the origin of something in this inner search for my happiness, my purpose, when I get to the top of the mountain of my quest, I find answers, then, I feel at peace. Understanding myself helps me to accept and love who I truly am.

Somehow, somewhere, in our life we need to start this inner journey through the sweet and dark memories stored in our mind in a quest to find what is our authentic self. Yes, many of us are living a fake self, the self created by the society, family and friends, telling us who we should be, have or behave. It takes courage to fight and be true to our own soul, but is so worthy!

I am still going through my amazing inner journey. I cannot do it alone, so I keep my heart open and sensitive to the presence of the spirit of God who is showing me what I need to see and to let it go. I am in a search to find my authentic self, the one God created me to be. It is a fantastic discovery I invite you to make too. It is real freedom and it is bringing so much meaning to my life.

It is a long voyage, one day at a time, that is slowly giving me a deep sense of purpose to my life.

I am learning to hear more clearly the voice of my heart. The eyes of the heart see the important things...

WHAT IS THE "AUTHENTIC SELF"?

("Self Matters" by Dr Phill)

REBUILDING FROM WITHIN

Do not lose yourself in the scenario of a society that tells who you should be. Find yourself through your own amazing journey inside of you, and stand for who God created you to be!

"ONLY THE SOUL KNOWS WHAT LOVE IS"

Rumi

https://www.facebook.com/RumiAndLove/?fref=photo

BE GRATEFUL

http://simplereminders.com/20141202191841.html

LOVE NEVER HURTS... LIFE DOES!

GRATITUDE

Cultivate a grateful heart and you will see everything through the eyes of the heart.

Allowing myself to be vulnerable is a great blessing for me, even being an introspect personality.

GOD'S BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART!

Our World is, for me, a beautiful work of Art!

When I look out a window or walk down the street, I can't help but smile as I marvel at this beautiful world I live in. As I look around me, I feel content and at peace surrounded by such a beautiful creation.

I am a hopeless optimist and I always try to look on the bright side of life. I find Nature and the world around me beautiful and amazing.

The most beautiful thing for me is the sea. When I go to the beach and feel the gentle touch of a wave dying on my feet, I feel at one with it. I look at the horizon and I cannot see the end, I feel that the sea is like the Love of God that had a beginning when He was forming me, but does not have an end.

I loved to watch the seagulls flying against the restless wind, sometimes blowing in a gorgeous evening in Africa. When they felt tired of fighting the strong wind, they would glide on the arms of the wind. When they felt restored, they would begin to fly again. Magically they seemed to find a place which would allow them to conquer the resistance of the wind and fly further away. While watching them, I realized that, so often, instead of fighting against the strong wind of the circumstances, I must stop, rest, let me glide with the wind knowing that the God I love will show me the way to fly further away...

I love Nature, its peace and tranquility.

The One Who created me taught me to find, in the gray world I live in, His beauty in every little detail of His wonderful Creation.

(Photo: https://theunseenwordsproject.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/tranquil.jpg)

LETTING GO...

Last night was a rough night. Samira, my cat, was scared by the lightning and the thunder. It reminded me of Africa when there were storms that made me feel like the thunder was striking right there inside my apartment... 

It is amazing the power of a storm! I feel so small, weak, fearful before the unstoppable strength of Nature. The only place of refuge is always at God's feet. His Word calms the rough storm and sea. The Voice Nature knows so well! 

I thought of those who were facing possible flooding. I prayed for them. I wanted them to feel safe like me. We cannot control the Nature, but we can give up to Him our fearful situation because He cares.

His peace sweetly came into my soul. Through my soul, God speaks to me. It is the piece of Himself He left in me so that I can hear Him. And I love to hear His sweet and gentle voice when we walk together in those moments of quietness enjoying the heavenly fragrance of His presence.

I look outside through my window. It seems that it is still early morning, when the clock already shows 10:45am. The rain continues to fall. Now and then I see the lightning and hear the thunder passing by. It is so good to feel safe in Him!

My heart is overwhelmed by gratitude! I cannot live without You, my Heavenly Father, my Savior.

(December 24th 2015)

THE BEAUTY OF GOD

Yesterday it was raining all day, sometimes hard, others soft rain. 

The sky was closed by stubborn clouds that do not allow me to enjoy the light and warm of the sun I love.  

However, there always is the amazing beauty of God in every drop of rain...

MY ONLY PLACE OF REST

ABUSE...

So right! If there are no bruises, no broken bones, no blood... is it ok?...
What about a hurting, broken heart nobody sees?...

REFLECTION ON MY BIRTHDAY

64 years... December, 6th 2015... as last year, the same joy and peace in God who knows my hidden and shy soul, my silent voice, who sees the hidden tears in my eyes, who hears my inner joyful laughter when I walk with Him in the garden of my life.

My sweet Lord, I am so grateful today for your love and care always hovering over me. Thank You for those moments when I think I cannot go on, and You talk to my broken heart and gently remind me that I am never walking alone. Thank You for keeping me strong even when I feel lost and do not know how to pray. 

Ohh, I am so grateful for those moments when I feel Your presence in such a way that I feel like I am already in Heaven. Those moments always give me the assurance that I will see You face to face when Jesus will return for the second time. Not because there is anything valuable in me, but because in You I am valuable.

It is so good when I look at the sky enjoying Your sunset and I lost myself in the amazing clouds reflecting a palette of colors of the sunset. You know, how I am taken away and I feel Your indescribable beauty! Thank You, my Creator, my God, my Ransomer for one day a long time ago, You came close to meet my wondering heart and You showed me Your Straight Path in Jesus who I love, accept and follow. You know me like nobody else does, not even myself, and You know that I would not be here today if You did not rescued me and walked with me every single day of my life. What I love the most is when You and I go together touching peoples' lives. I love You talking to others through me saying words that do not come from me. Ohh, how I love to surrender me to You and allow You to say what You know it needs to be said to someone. How special are those moments! Thank You, thank You, thank You for loving me so much!

Thank You too that my heart, mind, soul, everything in me is always wide open to receive Your spirit to abide in me, to work in me, to transform me according to the wonderful purpose of living with you forever and helping others on the way. My eyes, my arms, my mouth, my whole, I surrender to you! I do not want to live for my own purpose, but for Yours alone.

I thank You for continuing to walk with me all along this new year of my life. I am Yours today and forever.

I love You, my Heavenly Father! Thank you for what I am in You!

YOUR SUNSET AND ME

There is an inexplicable magic in a sunset. 

I feel tranquility, inner peace, and in an instant, I feel whole. 

God created this special moment to hear his voice telling me that all is well and it is time to rest. Thank you, my Lord, for this serene message when a day of stress and worry is ending.

SIX YEARS AGO...

6 years ago... a smile was hovering me. At that time, I still believed that my happiness was coming from another human being ... How wrong I was!... My happiness only comes from within while I walk with God throughout the day ... Only He sees my heart like clear waters, nothing is hidden from Him, and even fully knowing me, He wraps me with a tight hug and whispers in my ear with the most tender voice, "I love you, Dina, unconditionally!"

THOUGHTS

SEMICOLON ON A BODY?WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

"You may or may not have seen these drawings and tattoos of semicolons while browsing one of your social media feeds. But these tattoos and drawings aren’t celebrating a punctuation mark; they actually have a deeper symbolism."  If you would like to know, please click on the link below:

http://www.liftbump.com/2015/07/68814-if-you-see-someone-with-a-semicolon-on-their-body-heres-what-it-really-means/?utm_source=Facebook

3 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

So important to go on fighting!... to have confidence that I can!

Please click on the link below and read this article:

http://www.upworthy.com/3-things-you-can-do-in-your-spare-time-to-boost-your-confidence?g=2

I BELIEVE IN LOVE

I try to face trials... be of courage... be strong in God's strength... I do BELIEVE in Love! If I didn't, there would be no life in me...
When I look inside of me... I see so much brokenness... so much wrong doing... but I also see and feel God's unconditional love for me... and I surrender and believe in Love... God is Love!

MY PRAYER TODAY

The time is so rough for me... I am hurting in so many ways... Today I cannot see no light in end of the tunnel of my life... I need You so much... You are my Shepherd and my soul only knows the sound of Your sweet voice. I want to walk with You in this difficult path... I have no energy to hold Your hand, but I can feel You holding mine... What a strong refuge I have in You in the storm of this moment... Thank You for being here for me... I couldn't survive without You... You are my Hope, my Strength, my Path. I love You so much, my Heavenly Father.

GIVING UP?...

... no matter the circumstances... never ever give up on you!

REFLECTING ON A RAINY DAY

It rains outside. The sky has been cloudy all day. The temperature went down to 7 degrees Celsius today!! I do not like the cold... but I love to be home and look through the window to my backyard. The trees, once so green, are now losing their leaves, in a silent goodbye. Soon they will be just branches waiting to reborn joyfully in the Spring.

A time like this invites me to reflect, maybe meditate, on where I am at this moment of my life. Interestingly, I have not yet found what drives my life. God knows. I wait in Him. He knows me better than I do, and He knows the right time to show me clearly the way He has already prepared for me. How patient and loving God is! I love His assurance in my heart, mind and soul, that He is holding my hand tight and leading me through His straight path.

It came to my mind my favorite Psalm/Zabur 23 written by King David. It is below in a beautiful image. That is me, one of God's children, following His sweet and candid voice leading me to the safety of His Kingdom. I know nothing without His guidance, His strength, His love. This Psalm/Zabur reminded me that even when I go through those scary and really difficult moments in my life, I never walk alone. God is always there with me, like a wonderful shepherd carrying his lost and scared sheep in his arms back to the safety of the sheepfold.

How great You are, my God and Savior!